The battle of Fourt Cloudbreak started suddenly.
Initially the Tamed Storms Army was prepared to wear down the defenders over a long time. But when their scouts spotted the incoming reinforcements, enormous pressure fell on them.
The Tamed Storms Army formed a large half-circle around the mountain carrying Fort Cloudbreak.
Only a few patrols were stationed at the inaccessible back of the mountain, watching the steep cliffs to prevent some risky escape strategies.
The bulge of the army was forced to siege from the front.
Thus, they were able to use their warships to form a hasty blockade against the reinforcements.
But it was only a matter of time until the Tamed Storms Army would fall under the assault from two directions.
Lequev, however, was not happy.
The commander constantly peeked at the reports of her scouts, aware that another army was quickly heading for Rocky Cloud City.
We need to hurry up. Even if it means sacrificing some soldiers.
The commander took a deep breath before giving out some orders.
Suddenly the formation changed. The warships spread out, some flying higher, others lowering, seemingly trying to find angles around the blockade.
Naturally the enemy responded in kind.
But one of the warships hovered suspiciously close to the ground.
A bunch of groups were gathered on its lowest deck, unmoving, and looking at a stern faced major up front.
"This will be your mission! In short:
Sneak around the mountain, enter the hidden tunnels, bring these reinforced coms with you, and reestablish communication with the fort!
Soldiers, don't disappoint us! Your mission will be crucial for the fast ending of this battle!
Long live the Hurricane!"
"Long live the Hurricane!"
The many soldiers all tried their best to suppress the anxiety in their eyes. They stared at a map hanging next to the major, remembering the complicated tunnel system it showed.
A few minutes later the major gave a signal.
The ship's back opened up, revealing a way outside, facing away from the enemy.
"Go! Go! Go!"
Under the lead of their captains, the groups jumped out of the warship, landing on the ground one by one.
Parton had a bad feeling in his stomach as he felt the soft grass under his feet.
He looked at the unfamiliar faces. Most of them belonged to the army, only a few guards mixed in.
How did I end up here…
Parton didn't understand it. When he received the order to board another warship he felt as if his soul was leaving his body.
But military order can't be rejected.
Thus, the young man ended up among the participants for this special mission.
"Move!"
A stern shout brought Parton back to reality. He took a deep breath and began to move together with his group of seven.
He only knew one person among them, a young woman who was also there the day they listened to the suspicious conversation.
Parton still shuddered when thinking back to this day. He realized that something big was going on.
Naturally after the kind old man saved him, he immediately reported to his higher ups but didn't receive an answer so far.
Let's hope that my captain's sacrifice wasn't in vain…
Parton gradually stopped his random thoughts as his team entered a steep mountain path.
They traversed carefully, knowing that enemies were patrolling the area.
This is also the reason why multiple groups were sent out, so the possibility of one making it through could be increased.
A cold wind played around the mountain as the soldiers took one step after another.
Suddenly the captain raised his hand.
Everyone stopped immediately, their ears listening closely. Footsteps could be heard not far away.
The captain's thoughts raced as he scanned their surroundings. Right now, they were still on the lower parts of the mountain. Here, a few rocky paths still existed. But the slopes to their left and right were incredibly steep, sharp stones protruding everywhere.
An idea came to the captain's mind. He waved at a tall black-haired man at the back of the group.
The soldier stepped forward, whispering:
"Captain."
"Regg, that boulder up there, can you reach it with your [Vulcanic Explosion]?"
"No problem captain Weolls."
With those words the soldier suddenly conjured an inconspicuous small sphere of lava in his hand. He aimed and threw it precisely at a large boulder above their heads.
"Good.
Ulmed, leave a [Hidden Eye] behind."
"Yes, captain!"
Another soldier touched the wall. It looked like he didn't do anything but in the soldier's mind a picture of the surroundings appeared.
"Good. Everyone, fall back!"
The team of soldiers calmly drew back a considerable distance until they were hidden from view by the mountain.
"Ulmed! Now it's on you! Give the signal to bury those tamed b*stards!"
"Yes, Sir!"
The shorter soldier, Ulmed had a solemn expression. He closed his eyes, focusing on the image in his head.
Five seconds passed, ten, fifteen…
Suddenly Ulmed opened his eyes again:
"NOW!"
Regg reacted immediately. He controlled his [Vulcanic Explosion] from afar.
BOOM!
Suddenly an explosion shook the cliff.
"F*CK!"
"Defend!"
Chaotic screams spread, drowned out by a loud rumble.
Boulders separated from the cliff, threatening to push the patrolling soldiers into the abyss.
A tall man reflexively stood out among the patrol. He carried a massive shield, his eyes focused on the incoming boulders mixed with incredibly hot lava streaming down the mountain.
Although the man's legs trembled, he didn't dodge, raising his shield and warning his comrades:
"RUN!"
But his warning was unnecessary as everyone already reacted.
One soldier jumped in shock from the sudden explosion, directly falling down the cliffside, rolling on sharp stones for more than two hundred meters, never to stand up again.
Someone else froze in shock, staring at the boulders coming right at him.
A few others escaped towards the front or back, their hearts beating wildly as they tried to get to safety.
Suddenly the team belonging to the Hurricane Army heard frantic footsteps from upfront. The captain gripped his spear tightly, his eyes focused on the turn before them.
A moment later two soldiers appeared. They were immediately met with multiple spells and weapons, barely able to register the cause of their own deaths.
"Good job guys. Although the way is now blocked, at least there should be no further observation around.
Take out your climbing gear!"
Knowing their mission the team was naturally prepared. They took out ropes and incredibly sharp spikes, easily climbing the cliffsides.
Originally, they planned to start climbing somewhere further up to save energy but plans seldom kept up with changes.
Thus, the team had to climb for more than half an hour until finally reaching an inconspicuous boulder.
Taking out a token representing the Hurricane Army, the captain held it against the boulder, which blurred and vanished.
"We have reached the tunnels. Everyone, go in!"
Parton took a deep breath before stepping into the dark, stuffy tunnel. After the team entered the boulder behind them reappeared, plunging the tunnel into darkness.
Ulmed hastily did his job, activating a spell and letting a brightly shining small butterfly illuminate the path ahead.
Now that the team had arrived within the fort's escape tunnels there was no need to be careful anymore. They followed the map in their minds, hastily travelling upwards.
But suddenly everyone stopped in place, disbelief in their eyes.
The butterfly had just turned a corner when it shone on multiple white armors. A large group of soldiers blocked their way, seemingly prepared for them.
"How?!"
Someone whispered with a confused voice, staring at the enemies.
"Don't let them go!"
An order echoed in the tunnels, prompting the Tamed Storms Army to move instantly.
"RUN!"
Parton's captain screamed. Their team turned around, escaping in another direction.
Parton stayed at the back. Although his entire body was tense, he knew his job.
As someone geared towards defense he had to protect others. This had always been his wish. But right now, he couldn't help but tremble in the face of a large group of enemies.
Still, the young man took out a shield, blocking multiple ranged attacks before turning around and dashing after his team.
Loud footsteps sounded from his back, letting the hairs on his neck stand up.
Suddenly he felt an energy impacting his body. It came from the front, from Faynoa, his old teammate. The young woman was a competent support, using a spell to speed up Parton's body.
Nodding in thanks the tall man continued, turning around to block from time to time.
Thanks to the narrow tunnels the enemies couldn't attack freely, aiding the Hurricane Army in their escape.
But soon their luck turned for the worse as the team entered a large cave.
A pitch-black hole took the cave's center, a remnant from a long time ago when beasts still roamed this mountain.
Only a narrow path led around the hole connecting three entrances.
"Almost there! Hold on guys! Regg, it's time to destroy the tunnel!"
Following the order an explosion immediately rocked the surroundings, the entrance behind them vanishing in a pile of rubble.
Everyone's eyes lit up as they dashed towards the path to the right.
But suddenly they were brought from heaven to hell as tall man in white armor stepped out of the entrance.